THE decision to increase the amount Sleaford residents will have to pay in council tax has been slammed by an independent councillor.

There is a 14.77 per cent rise in the town council precept on next year's tax bill – meaning the average householder will see an increase of £14.

Last year, people living in average – or band D – homes paid £90.68 to Sleaford town council, with the rest of the council tax bill for a year totalling £1,346.49. This year they will pay £104.

Independent councillor David Suiter told the Target he thought the move was irresponsible at a time when a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet.

He said: "We can only condemn the Liberal Democrat party and their allies on Sleaford Town Council for a legacy of financial misrule, which has cost the local taxpayer massive increases.

"All of Sleaford town council's reserves have been spent, even though they used to be considerable and this is because of consistent over-spending."

Cllr Suiter claims the planned rise was initially as high as 44.51 per cent until cuts were made in the budget.

The main reason for the rise is increased staffing costs, which currently stand at £427,500, a sharp rise from 2005.

Cllr Suiter said: "Staffing costs have increased by £41,233 and on top of that there is a £7,846 pension increase.

"Cuts need to be made because to keep them at this level is not acting in the best interests of the taxpayer.

"It is a very sad thing to say people might lose their jobs, but at the moment the council is setting its precept at a level that most people will struggle to pay."

Ray Black, a financial advisor based in Sleaford, said: "At this time, with everyone trying to count every penny, an increase of any type will be unwelcome.

"This will especially be the case if people do not see an improvement in services provided to match the extra money."

Town council leader Mark Graves said: "The council resolved that during the forthcoming year it would review several of the services it delivers in order to identify if further possible savings can be made."